The conflict centers on a parcel of land claimed by members of the Koli community, who say it has been used for generations to dry fish and fishing nets. They allege that this land has been wrongly included in a redevelopment project, amounting to encroachment.
On the other hand, the developers and the concerned housing society maintain that the land is part of a legally approved SRA scheme.
Hearing the matter, the court observed that the land belongs to the state government and emphasised that authorities cannot remain passive in such disputes. It instructed the government to take active steps to resolve the issue.
To facilitate this, the court ordered the formation of a committee comprising relevant government and SRA officials. The panel has been tasked with conducting a site visit, reviewing land boundaries, hearing both parties, and determining whether the disputed land overlaps with areas traditionally used by the fishing community.
Until a final decision is made, the court has ordered maintenance of status quo at the site. It also restrained authorities from taking any coercive action, such as eviction or demolition. The case highlights the broader tension between urban redevelopment and the protection of traditional livelihoods in Mumbai’s coastal communities.
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